Melania Trump will kick off her 55th birthday in Rome as she attends Pope Francis’ funeral.
The first lady and her husband, President Donald Trump, will be present at the late pontiff’s funeral on Saturday, April 26, which coincides with Melania’s birthday.
According to multiple sources, the first lady — who became the first practicing Catholic in the position since Jackie Kennedy — is religious in private and is “honored” to be attending the papal funeral, regardless of its timing.
“She respected the pope,” a social source tells PEOPLE. “It is a sad time for Catholics around the world, and the first lady is honored to go to the funeral.”
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Melania had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis in 2017 during her and Donald’s first trip abroad as first lady and president. Melania presented rosary beads to the pope, USA Today reported, which was perceived at the time as a confirmation of her faith.
Meeting the pope eight years ago made the trip to his funeral all the more important, a source close to the family tells PEOPLE. Melania “admired” the pope, especially in regards to “how he was loved by so many different kinds of people,” the source adds.
“Melania is an open-minded person with respect for all different types of people and their opinions. They shared a love for children and their welfare,” the family source says. “[The pope’s funeral] is a significant event for her, a life experience few are able to share.”
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Since Melania’s mother, Amalija Knavs, died in January 2024, the first lady has leaned on her Catholic faith to get through the hard times, the family source says. “Her religion has continued to play a large role in her life, helping her deal with grief.”
For the most part, Melania is “quiet” about her faith, a political source adds, describing her as “religious” nonetheless and asserting that it is “not a chore for her to go to the funeral.”
PEOPLE’s social source agrees, noting that even though it’s her duty as a world leader’s spouse to show up for the service, she takes “no issue” in spending her birthday morning there.
“She will make the most of her birthday in the time frame after the event,” the social source says.
